Bike Routes From Northern Rail Stations
From Pedalpushers
UNDER CONSTRUCTION
Contents |
Introduction
Northern Rail announced its Cycling Strategy on the 8th of March 2007 at Manchester Airport. The company aims to go beyond the efforts of other Train Operating Companies to encourage cycling, despite the limitations imposed in it by the rolling stock it has inherited and budgetary constraints.
To this end the company is looking at cycle commuting and cycle tourism. This page aims to suggest some great leisure bike rides you can do from Northern Rail stations.
The company has a flexible two bikes per train policy. What this means is that the conductors have discretion to allow additional bikes on if space allows. It also means that you may not be allowed access if the train is already full. As the company is being flexible, you should be flexible as well - be prepared to wait for the next train if necessary, or cycle along to the next station. If you are on a leisure trip and there are more than two of you travelling together, avoid peak hour trains.
If you commute by bike and train, we suggest the following options:
Get a folding bike. Leave a bike at each end. Use a bike at one end of the journey and walk at the other.
So here goes with some suggestions for great bike rides from Northern Rail Stations. For this first section we are looking at stations with direct trains from Sheffield.
Direct Routes From Sheffield
New Mills Central
If you are looking for an interesting (and challenging!!) ride why not go to New Mills Central. Road to canal near Newtown station follow towpath to Whaley Bridge, then up the inlcined plane (Cromford & High Peak railway this time), or the road parallel, join the Pennine Cycle Way to Elnor Lane Farm, descend to A5004 crossing at Fernilee, few yards along main road towards Buxton and take track on right down to reservoirs in Goyt Valley. Follow waterside path and later road and CLIMB up to Derbyshire Bridge. On moorland at top keep going until you reach the old Cat & Fiddle road (track) go right and descend to Buxton on track. Go through Buxton to Fairfield Common (A6 north), then lanes on east of A6, erhaps as far east as Upper End if you wish. The road from Upper End to Dove Holes encounters the Peak Forest Tramway just before A6. You can follow it (probably in private ownerships) to the east of the village until PF Tramway crosses under A6 after last houses. Interesting ride mostly on lanes to try and trace route north to Chapel. Or if you are not adventurous just follow PCW back from Buxton to Chinley / New Mills.
Edale
Edale puts you in the heart of the Peak District. From here there's a great route back to Sheffield with plenty of options - see here and here
Mountain Bikers might like to head up Jacob's ladder and emerge at Hayfield. The bridle way across to Castleton also seems to be popular.
Penistone
Leave the station via a small patch of land that is owned by Sustrans for the Trans-Pennine Trail towards Hadfield or Barnsley.Worksop
Head to the town centre and turn left for the canalside road that will lead you to Clumber Park, Sherwood Forest and on to Nottingham, or right for the Chesterfield Canal heading back towards Chesterfield and Sheffield.Meadowhall
Despite it's highly urbanised location, Mitherhell is at the crossroads of a number of important cycle routes, many of which are on NCN Routes 6 & 67, including the Chapeltown Greenway for routes to Penistone, Manchester, Barnsley, Leeds, York & Hull amongst others, the Five Weirs Walk leading back into Sheffield City Centre, and the canal towpath for Rotherham and the canal network beyond, or an alternative route back to Sheffield. (permits required)
Dore
(i) Ecclesall Woods. Turn right out of the Station Car Park and travel along Abbeydale Rd (can be busy) for about half a mile. Near the Miniature Railway you will see a signpost for a bridleway. Take this and you can do a loop of this beautiful ancient woodland (suitable for MTB's or Hybrids) or follow the bridleway up to Limb Lane. Turn right here and at the junction with Ecclesall Road South, cross the road and look for the bridleway at the side of Whinfell Quarry Gardens which, steep and rough at first, will take you over to Ringinglow (MTB recommended).
(ii) MTB route. Turn left out of the station car park and travel along Abbeydale Rd (can be busy) for about half a mile. Take the right fork along Totley Brook Rd to the end. Wheel your bike along the footpath (you will need to lift it over two kissing gates - if you can't do this the alternative route is Abbeydale Rd to r.Hillfoot Rd. However this route entails a stiff climb and steep descent.) Turn left on Hillfoot Rd, then right onto Penny Lane. Safe the Cricket Inn until later, and at the top turn onto Strawberry Lee Lane, clearly the flipside of Penny Lane if you're a Beatles fan. Follow the lane along and it will bring you onto Blackamoor. You can continue on bridleways up to Fox House. For a circular route, take Houndkirk Lane (very rough) to Ringinglow, cycle down Ringinglow Rd to the Bridleway close to Bent Green school (Castle Dyke) take this down to Whirlow, cross Ecclesall Rd, take Limb Lane to the top of the Ecclesall Woods bridleway, enjoy the downhill, cross the bridge and follow signs to Abbeydale Rd, and you emerge very close to Dore Station (to your right) again.
To extend this a bit further, on arrival at Ringinglow by the roundhouse, turn left then first right (with care) Take the sign-posted cycle route at Porter Clough. Take the MTP option a little further down to your left, then follow to Forge Dam. Here there is a Bridleway to your right that will take you up to Bents Green. Here you can join the Bridleway to Whirlow as described above.
Saltaire
Take to the adjacent canal towpath for a traffic-free ride back to Leeds, or on towards Skipton via the spectacular Shipley Five-Ride locks. Bumpy in places.
Wakefield Kirkgate
Cycling links to the TPT and west to Horbury, Mirfield, Dewsbury and Huddersfield are in progress but not in place yet. Bradford via The Spen Valley Greenway is nearly within reach.
to be continued...
